Daily Life & Caregiving
Sarah couldn’t understand why her dad kept saying he wasn’t thirsty.
His water glass sat untouched beside his favorite chair. Every hour she reminded him to take a drink.
“Dad, you need more water.”
“I’m fine,” he’d reply.
By the end of the day, he seemed more confused than usual, was unsteady on his feet, and became frustrated over little things. Sarah wondered if his dementia was getting worse.
It wasn’t until his nurse gently asked, “How much has he had to drink today?” that she realized the problem may not have been dementia at all – it may have been dehydration.
For someone living with dementia, staying hydrated isn’t always as simple as picking up a glass of water. Dementia changes the brain, and a person may:
- Not recognize that they are thirsty.
- Not remember it’s time to drink.
- Not know how to complete all the steps involved, like finding a cup, filling it, and taking a drink (called sequencing).
- Avoid drinking because they’re worried about needing the bathroom more often.
The good news? A few simple changes can make hydration much easier.
1. Make Hydration Easy to See
If a favorite cup is tucked away in the kitchen cupboard, it may be forgotten.
Keep a favorite cup or water bottle visible and within easy reach. Brightly colored cups often make drinks easier to notice.
Visual reminders can also help. A simple sign placed near the person’s favorite chair, on the refrigerator, or by the coffee maker that says “Please Drink Water”, “It’s Time for a Drink”, or “Take a Sip” can serve as a gentle cue. Be sure the sign uses large, easy-to-read lettering with good contrast so it is easy to see.
Sometimes success isn’t about reminding the person more often – it’s about making the reminder part of the environment.
2. Guide Instead of Asking
Instead of asking,
“Would you like something to drink?”
Try saying:
- “Let’s have something to drink together.”
- “I brought you some lemonade.”
- “It’s time for our afternoon tea.”
Questions require the brain to make a decision. Gentle guidance makes the next step easier.
Better yet, sit down and take a sip yourself – or raise your glass in a “toast.” People naturally imitate those around them, and drinking together often feels more like sharing a moment than receiving a reminder.
3. Build Hydration Into the Day
Instead of relying on memory, connect drinks to routines that already happen.
Offer fluids:
- Upon waking up
- After brushing teeth
- With medications (when appropriate)
- During a favorite television show
- Before or after a walk
- With every meal and snack
Routine reduces the need to remember.
4. Think Beyond Water
Water isn’t the only way to stay hydrated.
Water-rich foods like watermelon, strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, yogurt, smoothies, broth-based soups, applesauce, and homemade popsicles all help keep the body hydrated.
Some families also find success with products like Jelly Drops®, hydration gummies, added flavors, or low-sugar electrolyte beverages.
Every sip—and every bite—counts.
5. Don’t Turn It Into a Battle
If they refuse a drink, don’t argue.
Offer a small amount.
Try again later.
Sometimes a different cup, a quieter environment, or simply another time of day makes all the difference.
Our goal isn’t to win the moment.
It’s to create many opportunities for success.
Every Sip Counts
Hydration is about much more than water. It’s about helping someone feel their best, reducing discomfort, and supporting their overall health.
At Dementia Life, we believe the answer is rarely asking the person living with dementia to adapt to us. Instead, we adapt the environment and our approach so they have the greatest opportunity to succeed.
Offer without pressure.
Encourage without arguing.
Try again later.
Because every sip counts.
